Mangham Dragons

By Lee Brecheen

Head Coach: Scott Wilcher (5th year)

2022 Record: 11-2

Class & District: Class 2A (District 2)

2022 Playoffs: 1st Round Bye, Defeated Grand Lake 60-12 in 2nd Round, Defeated Arcadia 48-0 in Quarterfinals, Lost to Homer 38-18 in the Semifinals of the Division IV (Non-Select) Playoffs

Mangham RB Isaiah McFarland (#3 in Purple) (Photo provided by Isaiah McFarland)

The Mangham Dragons under head coach Scott Wilcher are not slowing down anytime soon when it comes to winning ball games and competing for championships. I would not be shocked if this team goes all the way in 2023 if they stay healthy. Wilcher went to Winnsboro HS (Class of 1989) and went to Northeast Louisiana (now known as UL-Monroe). The Dragons had two players earn athletic scholarships: RB Jalen Williams (Southwest Mississippi Junior ) and WR TJ Johnson (runs track at Grambling).

“We had a great offseason from January to August and mentally I think we're tougher as a team,” Wilcher said. “This is the best offseason we have had since I've been at Mangham HS. We do return the whole offensive and defensive line in 2023 and have a lot of size on both sides of the football.”

Mangham TE/DE Robert Natt (Photo provided by Robert Natt)

The offense will have the firepower to be a big-time contender again in 2023. The Dragons return their starting QB Austin Lively who has 4.6 speed and a really good arm. The run game has a chance to be really good with power and speed back led by RB Isaiah McFarland (6-1, 230) who lost 25 pounds and had recently gained some serious speed for a big back like himself (4.6 forty). The Dragons also have a new player RB Jay Miles (5-8, 170), RB/WR Brody Hudson lettered in 2022 and has 4.55 speed. There will also be some young players who will compete for carries behind them.

The offensive line is one of the best in Louisiana, not just Class 2A. The offensive line will be key to making all this work and returns some talented players in OT/OG Hunter Caldwell (6-1, 280 pounds), center Brian Cleary (265 pounds), OL Drew Calloway (6-3, 310), OG Ron Griffin (270 pounds) and OT Jacoby Young (280 pounds). Tight ends Robert Natt (6-1, 245) & TE Jalen Boley-McGraw (6-2, 260) will also help clear the run-blocking lanes and will go out to run routes to catch the pass on a passing play.

Mangham TE/DE Jalen Boley-McGraw (#99 in White) (Photo provided by Jalen Boley-McGraw

The defense will not be too shabby either as it returns key players in two-way starters in fourth-year starters MLB Robert Natt (6-2, 245) and fourth-year starter DE Jalen Boley-McGraw (6-1, 260). The trenches also include new starter DT Derrick Franklin (6-0, 285), DT Cam Allen (5-10, 265) and LB Evan Tibbs (5-8, 160) who is a tough kid. The defensive backfield has two big-time hitters FS Lane Almond (6-1, 190) and CB Tanner Tarver (5-9, 170).

Make sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel, The Sports Scouting Report with Lee Brecheen, and click on the bell to be notified whenever we release a new episode. If you want to listen on the go, follow us wherever you get your podcasts! We have a show three times a week where we interview coaches and recruits statewide in both football and baseball. If you click/press on the logo below, it will take you directly to our YouTube channel!